aphelps Loc: Central Ohio

Most docs like to make their decisions on meds. Ads are not aimed at the decision maker

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

?? My post suggested that the ads are aimed at the potential user who would then ask his doctor about their use.

I have seen this procedure several times with friends/co-workers.

Triple G

Why should drug negotiations be any different than military or other federal purchases?

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

You may have already guessed the reason for adverse critiques.

Triple G

Look at drug usage increase after ads were allowed. Drs. are client pleasers and when asked by a client does comply based in the volume increase after ads were allowed. They also prescribe more of the drugs represented by the last pharma's salesperson in their office.

pendennis

Only if the Federal government is the end user (i.e. military, or other end-usage). The Feds should not be an intermediary in the private sector for any reason.

BooIsMyCat Loc: Somewhere

I agree with Bison Bud.... 100%

To your question - Why IS it OK that the USA pays the high prices for these drugs and other countries don't?

It is total BS to call this free enterprise when 1. When the pharma industry pays our so-called "leaders" to prevent Medicare from having price negotiations, 2. When YOUR profit is based on senior citizens absorbing the brunt of those costs and 3. When other countries pay WAY less for the same brand name drug.

Everyone in this world, if they survive, will become a senior citizen some day. That means, for most, a FIXED income. It simply baffles the mind why any company would think that price gouging those people is "good business".

Think about it: The SS Administration indicates that the AVERAGE monthly SS payment is $1781.63 today. My mother-in-law got $1200/month and lived to be 95. That's $1200/month for city taxes (Chicago), food, utilities AND medical expenses! Some drugs today, cost more than what she would get in a year!.... and now, according to all the TV ads, you have to be very careful when taking these new drugs, that you don't tear your perineum!

Triple G

So, the fed government can negotiate drug/medical procedure prices for their employees in plans they manage & self insure, but not for people in the organizations (Medicare, TriCare, Medicaid) in a "trust" (ssi) that they also manage and self insure? There's no reasoning behind that. In Medicare Advantage Plans which is private sector, that applies because the Plan is doing the management and risk assumption, but not in traditional Medicare.

Bison Bud

Wow, this post turn political really quickly and got moved by the ad-min! Still an interesting discussion going on here about the situation. However, I'd really like to know how many out there think it is absurb to spend so much money on advertising drugs to the masses when they can't even purchase them directly. Apparently, this method does work in increasing sales, but I'm pretty sure it increases costs to the end users by a very large margin. While I do agree that the government should not be involved in price fixing, there are some things, like this one, that do need to be reigned in a bit, at least in my opinion!

pendennis

The Federal government shouldn't be an intermediary unless they're the end user.

Can you cite the percentage, or amounts of dollars of Pharma R&D that's funded by the government?

PS - I don't hold any Pharma stocks, etc. Not even in my IRA.

DennyT Loc: Central Missouri woods

thom w Loc: San Jose, CA

I understand it is a large amount both in dollars and in percentage. I could probably find numbers but I don't really have time as my time management skills are very poor.

skylane5sp Loc: Puyallup, WA

Then PLEASE do yourself (and us) the immense favor and public service of not wasting any more of your precious time here with your useless waffling.

BooIsMyCat Loc: Somewhere

100%

From what I read the taxpayers have foot the bill for every new drug in the last decade.

lenben Loc: Seattle

Note that the research funded usually through NIH to develop new pharmaceuticals, does not include $$ credit by big pharma so they get the products commonly free and don't feel obligated to lower the price to reflect the publics share of the cost of development.